Native American Controversy

In story after story, it is the alumni, not the students, who object most to changing a school?s nickname. It would be best if the local areas were poled to determine what the town residence thinks before any action is taken. They often say that changing the nickname is caving in to what they see as wrong-headed ?political correctness. Many supporters of this nickname say that since the name is in honor of the Utes? tribe, following a meeting of the University Officials and a council from the Utes? tribe it was determined that the team name could be maintained, ?as long as the university used the Ute name in a positive manor. According to Barbara Munsom, of the Wisconsin Indian Education Association, ?Stereotypes, ignorance, silent inaction and even naïve innocence damage and destroy individual lives and whole cultures. Signs would say something like, ?Redskin scalps, worth so much?. ? Furthermore, poles conducted by Peter Harris Research Group Inc. The University of Utah calls its sports teams the Running Utes. Many former students see themselves as a Warrior, or an Apache and they do not want to lose that identity. Many critics say these nicknames should be removed and replaced with less demeaning titles. However, it is best to take into the considerations of both parties for discrimination associated with team names has varied throughout the country, and it is very possible that in the surrounding neighborhoods could have more of a problem with discrimination of Native Americans then other areas.

Not only are school mascots targeted here, four of the most recognized sports teams and logos in America belong to the Atlanta Braves, the Cleveland Indians, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Washington Redskins. ?We experience it as no less than a mockery of our cultures.